Women in Aviation International will hold their 23rd annual conference March 8 to 10, in Dallas, Texas, offering seminars, workshops, networking events, and a commercial exhibit area. The event brings together a wide range of aviation professionals, educators and enthusiasts from around the world, and welcomes men as well as women. The focus of the event is on networking and building successful careers in a variety of aviation fields. The show is also known for its closing banquet, when dozens of scholarships, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, are awarded to help women advance in aviation careers. The event also showcases the annual inductees to the Pioneer Hall of Fame.
“The banquet is an evening where we honor women who opened doors for us,” says WAI President Peggy Chabrian. “Our members are inspired by the rich history these women bring. In many cases, they get to actually meet these living legends … It’s an experience our members don’t soon forget.” This year’s inductees include the 20 women who flew in the first National Air Derby, in 1929; Bernice Falk Haydu, who flew as a test pilot with theWASP; Mary Magdalene Maga, one of the U.S. Navy’s first female aircraft mechanics; and Elizabeth MacGill, the first woman to earn a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, in 1929. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the conference. Special rates are offered for students and those in the military.
